What is Naturalisation?
aturalisation is the legal process by which a non-Irish national living in Ireland applies to become an Irish citizen. It is not automatic; you must meet specific requirements.
Dual Nationality
Ireland allows dual nationality, but other countries may not. Before applying for Irish citizenship, check whether your current country of citizenship permits you to retain its citizenship if you acquire another. Some countries do not permit dual citizenship or only permit dual citizenship in very limited circumstances.
Eligibility to Apply for Irish Citizenship
Residence Requirements for Adults
Standard route (most adults):
To apply for naturalisation you must have:
- Lived in Ireland for 5 years within the last 9 years, and
- No gaps in your immigration permission in the year before application, and
- No absence from Ireland exceeding 70 days in that year.
Spouses of Irish Citizens:
If married to or in a civil partnership with an Irish citizen, you may apply after 3 years resident in Ireland.
Refugees:
If you have been granted refugee status, you can apply for Irish citizenship five years after the date you were officially granted international protection.
Before 8 December 2025, refugees could apply three years after arriving in Ireland. This policy has now changed.
If you applied for citizenship in the three years before 8 December 2025, your application is being reviewed under the new approach. This means the authorities will check whether you had three years of residence after you were granted refugee status, rather than counting from your date of arrival in Ireland.
Reckonable Residence: What Counts
Only certain periods in Ireland count toward the residence requirement. For example, time in Ireland on a student visa or while seeking asylum typically does not count toward reckonable residence.
Your reckonable residence should start from the date you received an official letter from the Department of Justice granting you status and not from the date you received your Immigration Residence Permit (IRP) Card.
Applying for Citizenship
Application method:
- Most applications are submitted online through the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) portal.
- However, paper forms are available on request by emailing [email protected].
Proof of Address Requirements
As of April 2023, a points-based system is used to prove residence in Ireland:
- Applicants must provide documents totalling at least 150 points per year.
- Examples: bank statements, utility bills, leases, etc. The official guidance document lists all acceptable items and point values.
Fees:
- The initial application fee is €175 (non-refundable).
- If successful, an additional fee is required (usually €950), with reduced fees for some categories:
- €200 for widows/widowers of Irish citizens
- Free for recognised refugees or stateless persons
Processing times:
Expect at minimum 6 months, though many take longer and our experience is that applications often take 18+ months.
Ceremony:
Successful adult applicants must attend a Citizenship Ceremony, swear an oath of allegiance, and receive a naturalisation certificate.
Naturalisation for Children
Children cannot apply independently; an application must be made by a parent, guardian, or person acting ‘in loco parentis’. Options include:
- Child of a naturalised Irish citizen
- Child of Irish descent or Irish association
- Child born in Ireland and resident as part of a family unit for three years
Fees for children:
- Application: €175
- If successful: €200
- Children do not attend a citizenship ceremony and receive their certificate by post.
Practical Tips for Applicants
To prepare in advance:
- Obtain your birth certificate (unless you are a refugee in which case provide a sworn affidavit in lieu) and certified translation if needed.
- Keep passports up-to-date (unless you are a refugee in which case provide a sworn affidavit in lieu of a passport).
- Maintain proof of address documents for each year of residence.
- If you have been fined or charged with an offence, keep records.
- Being on holiday abroad does not necessarily break residence requirements unless absence exceeds 70 days.
- Have a plan to renew your immigration status while you’re waiting for your naturalisation application to be processed.
